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Fleetwood release 14 players

Defender Roberts lifted the League Two play-off trophy at Wembley on a historic day for the Cod Army 12 months ago while Ball was also in the starting XI for the team that defeated Burton.

However, after flirting with the play-offs for much of their maiden season in the third tier, Fleetwood have announced they are moving on from the pair, along with former Wigan full-back Stephen Crainey and midfielders Jeff Hughes, Steven Schumacher and Stewart Murdoch.

Liam Hogan and Matty Hughes have both been released despite being in the first team at points this season, while Joe Burgess, Josh Green, Mason Springthorpe, Richard Wright, Andre Street and Adam Nditi have also been let go.

Long-serving defender Nathan Pond is among those to have been offered fresh terms, though, along with Stephen Jordan, Gareth Evans, Keano Duncan, Harvey Hodd and Jamille Matt, who did not play at all last year after suffering a leg injury.

“There is going to be a significant turnover in the squad over the summer,” boss Graham Alexander told the club’s official website.

“We have had to make some very difficult decisions on who we need to keep and let go.

“It has been a very difficult process. We have a profile of the make-up of our future squad going forward and a stronger emphasis on up-and-coming professionals.

“We want to produce our own players and we want to bring in young players and improve them and help us become a better team.

“There are some players that are leaving that have done a tremendous job for this club. Everyone that is on that list has contributed to what this team has done over the last 12-24 months. We thank them all for their dedication and valuable contribution. My staff and I sincerely wish them well for where they go next.

“When there is a change, you have to make very tough decisions and there has been none tougher than what we have had to do this summer.

“We hope that the supporters see the new direction we are going in and how it will benefit the long term future of the club.”